Obama's Easter prayer guest list 'eclectic' on faiths, politics

Our Washington blog, The Oval,has the scene: President Obama invited 90 Christian leaders and guests this morning to reflect with him on Christ's grace, sacrifice, resurrection. His Christian faith may not be news but the partial list of the guests is fascinating -- clergy and leaders with voices and views from across today's diverse American religious landscape.

And prayerful as the morning may have been, anything White House is inherently political. So it was intriguing to see who made the list.

I didn't get to see all the names but those I did see included famous folk such as megachurch leader and bestselling author Rev. Joel Osteen (known for never preaching about sin) and those who moved into the news spotlight with the Obama years such as Rev. Sharon Watkins, President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who preached at Obama's inauguration prayer service last year.

Also breaking bread with the president today were the papal ambassador to the USA, Papal Nuncio to Washington, D.C., Archbishop Pietro Sambi; the head of Catholic Charities, Rev., Larry Snyder, and Sister Carol Keehan, the president of the Catholic Health Association. Keehan caused a stir with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops by supporting Obama's health care plan because, by her interpretation of the legislation, it did not provide federal funding for abortion.

Familiar names among evangelicals and mainline Protestants included Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of the nation's largest United Methodist congregation, Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. Caldwell prayed at George W. Bush's inauguration and also performed the wedding ceremony at the Bush ranch for Jenna's wedding.

But he's really better known leaning to Democrats, says Michael Lindsay, professor at Rice University, and author of Faith in the Halls of Power. Caldwell, like another guest, Rev. Bill Hybels, of Willow Creek Community Church, IL., (the megachurch the one that made "seeker-friendly" services famous) are "bridge figures" that are close to leaders in both parties, Lindsay says.

Joining in were Mainline Protestant leaders Rev. Peg Chemberlin, President of the National Council of Churches and among several guests who serves onthe advisory board for the The White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who was the first woman to have lead the American Methodist Episcopal denomination; and Elder Nancy Wilson of the Metropolitan Community Church, the gay-welcoming denomination. Wilson is an activist for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

"Overall, it's an eclectic list, much more so than you would have seen with earlier presidents," he said, "Obama has made the most concerted effort to cross the dividing lines."

Is there any religious leader with whom you would -- or would not -- want to break bread? Is sharing a meal and a prayer straying too close to a political endorsement?

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About Cathy Lynn Grossman

Cathy Lynn Grossman is too fidgety to meditate. But talking about visions and values, faith and ethics lights her up. Join in at Faith & Reason. More about Cathy.